Foreign wrestlers have a long history in sumo

Hoshoryu is a nephew of former yokozuna Asashoryu. He gained exposure to judo and wrestling from an early age and traveled to Japan to train as a wrestler at Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School. Inspired after seeing sumo for the first time at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, he joined the Tatsunami stable in 2018. He was hailed as a “yokozuna candidate” almost immediately and steadily advanced through the ranks, eventually becoming a yokozuna in 2024. It is thought he may need a bit more time to fully embrace the role of yokozuna, which demands not only victories but the upholding of the dignity of the rank.

Born into a nomadic family of sheepherders, he developed strong legs and overall physique from horseback riding. He came to Japan on a whim to take a sumo test after being introduced by an acquaintance, and decided to join the sumo world “to honor his parents.” Initially known by the ring name Kiribayama, he changed his name to Kirishima upon promotion to ōzeki, inheriting the ring name of a predecessor. He has since fallen from that rank due to injury. His current mentor, Otowayama, is the former yokozuna Kakuryu, who is also from Mongolia.

Introduced by Asashoryu, Oshoma trained as a wrestler at Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School alongside Hoshoryu. He picked up sumo after progressing to Nippon Sport Science University. In 2020, during his fourth year, he won the title of student yokozuna and qualified to enter the makushita division. He joined the Naruto stable in 2021. His master is Kotoshu, who is from Bulgaria, and so his ring name includes the Japanese character for Europe (pronounced “ō”) despite the fact that he is Mongolian.

Aonishiki started sumo at the age of 7 and became a member of the Ukrainian national team for the Junior Sumo Championships at the age of 15. At 17, he won the Ukrainian wrestling national championship in the 110-kilogram class. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he came to Japan, trained at Kansai University and entered the Ajigawa stable at the age of 18. Using a low-stature attacking style reminiscent of wrestling, he quickly racked up wins and advanced in rank. He has sent the money he earned from awards like the Fighting Spirit Prize to his parents, who are living in Germany as refugees.

During his time in Mongolia, Onokatsu played soccer, but at the age of 15, he came to Japan and began sumo wrestling at Niina Gakuen Asahigaoka Senior High School. He continued sumo after enrolling at Nippon Sport Science University, and in 2022, during his fourth year, he won the title of student yokozuna. This qualified him to enter the makushita division and he joined the Onomatsu stable in 2023, advancing to the top division in just five tournaments. Before coming to Japan, he won the Uvs Province mathematics olympiad, showing his talents also extend to academics.

At 195 centimeters, Kinbozan is the tallest wrestler in the makuuchi division. He has a background in judo and came to Japan at the age of 18 after an introduction by Asashoryu. He started sumo at Meguro Nihon University High School and continued sumo at Nihon University. At the national student sumo championship, his team won and he was runner-up as an individual. He entered the Kise stable in 2021 to compete in the sandanme division. He was promoted to the top makuuchi division after nine tournaments. He is the second Kazakhstani sumo wrestler, after Taiga Kazafuzan.

Tamawashi is known as the “iron man” for continuing to compete in the top division even at the age of 40. During his university days, he decided he wanted to try sumo wrestling to make use of his large frame, and in 2004, he came to Japan with the help of his sister, who was a graduate student at the University of Tokyo. Without any sumo experience or Japanese-language skills, he entered the Kataonami stable and was promoted to the top division in four years. He has won the top division championship twice and continues to compete. He is unusual for a sumo wrestler in that his hobbies include handicrafts and baking cakes. He has acquired Japanese citizenship.

With a father who was the equivalent of ōzeki rank in Mongolian sumo and an acquaintance of Asashoryu, Chiyoshoma became interested in sumo from an early age. He was scouted by former yokozuna Chiyonofuji, the master of the Kokonoe stable, and enrolled at Meitoku Gijuku High School. He dropped out after two years and entered the Kokonoe stable in 2009. He was diligent and hardworking, but it took him seven years to reach the top division. He has struggled with injuries recently and is expected to be demoted to the second division in the next tournament. He has acquired Japanese citizenship.

Roga was born in the Tuva Republic of the Russian Federation. His father is Mongolian and his mother is Russian. He changed his nationality to Mongolian after moving there, but identifies as Russian. Although he specialized in wrestling, he traveled to Japan to participate in the Hakuho Cup, hosted by yokozuna Hakuho. He achieved good results and went on to train and study at Tottori Johoku High School. He defeated current yokozuna Hoshoryu on his way to becoming high school yokozuna. He entered the Futagoyama stable and made his debut in the top division in 2023.

Shishi started wrestling at the age of 6 and switched to sumo at the age of 15. He competed in the European Sumo Championships, finishing third, and then set his sights on Japanese sumo. He entered the Irumagawa stable (now the Ikazuchi stable) in 2020 and became the first Ukrainian in sumo, preceding Aonishiki. He made his debut in the top division in 2024. However, he failed to secure enough wins at the Nagoya Basho; he might yet get demoted to the second division. He enters the ring wearing a blue mawashi, the same color as the Ukrainian flag.